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Dexter Fletcher abandons Freddie Mercury biopic

Dexter Fletcher has stepped down from his role as director on the upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic which will star Ben Whishaw as the Queen frontman.

Dexter Fletcher has withdrawn from the Freddie Mercury biopic.

The 48-year-old actor and director has decided to abandon his role as director after a number of disagreements with GK Films' Graham King - who is making the film with Sony - over the untitled movie which will be based on the life of the Queen frontman, according to Deadline.

Ben Whishaw - who has previously appeared in 'Cloud Atlas' and 'Skyfall' - came on board to play Mercury in the R-rated picture after comedian Sacha Baron Cohen dropped out last year, but now that Fletcher has also parted ways, production may have to be pushed back as Whishaw has been booked to reprise his role as Q in the next James Bond film.

The biopic has begun soft preproduction and was expected to begin shooting in the summer, but in order to keep with their original schedule they will have to secure a new helmer - who will work with producers Tim Headington, Robert De Niro and Tribeca Productions - as soon as possible.

Queen's hits such as 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'We Will Rock You' and 'Another One Bites The Dust' have been handed over to the project, which will reportedly tell the coming-of-age story of the group and conclude with their headline performance at Live Aid in 1985 rather than Mercury's death following complications from AIDS.